29 research outputs found
Evaluating the construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 Quality of Life questionnaire in a South African context
The absence of a suitable measure to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents in South Africa, led to the use of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire which was developed and standardised in Europe. The current study is part of a broader study conducted in the Western Cape, which used the KIDSCREEN-52 to explore the influence of exposure to community violence on the subjective HRQoL of a sample of South African adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 in a South African context. The broader study employed stratified interval criterion sampling to select 565 Grade 9 learners, aged 14-18. Participants were selected from six public schools in areas specified by the South African government as comprising key nodal areas in terms of crime in the Western Cape. The dataset for the current study comprised all participants (N=565) of the primary study. As the initial step in validation of the KIDSCREEN-52 in South Africa, the current study examined its factor structure by means of exploratory factor analysis, using principal component analysis with oblimin rotations. It also assessed the internal consistency reliability of each of the scales, using Cronbachâs alpha. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 10 factors as identified by previous studies, with some deviation in the loadings of the last three factors. Items of two scales (âFeelingsâ and âAbout Yourselfâ) divided into three scales, and âBullyingâ items were not sufficiently presented in the factor solution. Internal consistency of the measure was shown to be acceptable to good, with Cronbachâs alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 for the 10 scales
Evaluating the Construct Validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 Quality of Life questionnaire within a South African context utilizing Exploratory Factor Analysis: Initial validation
Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych)The absence of a suitable measure to assess the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents in South Africa, led to the use of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire in this study. This questionnaire was developed and standardised in Europe and it assesses quality of life from the subjective perception of children and adolescents in terms of their physical, mental and social well-being. The use of assessment measures with different populations or in different milieu from the original standardisation context necessitates
establishing the validity of such measures for the new utilization context. Thus, the aim of this quantitative study is specifically directed at examining the construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 within a South African context. Accordingly, this study is located within the theoretical framework of construct validation theory. Data for this Secondary Data Analysis study was drawn from the âImpact of Hope and Exposure to Community Violence on childrenâs perception of Well-beingâ study. The primary study employed stratified interval
criterion sampling to select 565 grade 9 learners, aged 14-18 from six public schools. The dataset for the current study comprised all participants (N=565) of the broader study. As the initial step in validation of the KIDSCREEN-52 within South Africa, the current study examined the factor structure of the KIDSCREEN-52 within this context by means of exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis with oblimin rotations. It also assessed the internal consistency reliability of each of the scales using Cronbachâs alpha.
Exploratory factor analysis revealed the same 10 factors as identified by previous European studies with some deviation in the last two factors, which warrants further examination. Internal consistency of the measure was shown to be acceptable, with Cronbachâs alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 for the 10 scales.South Afric
A Community Engagement Model for an Inclusive Just Energy Transition in the South
Within a dynamic global political arena, the economic ramifications of the
COVID-19 pandemic, energy impoverishment, ever-increasing global
awareness of climate change, energy justice and just energy transition have
emerged as important aspects that require critical reflexive deliberation to
ensure that those on the margins of the energy divide do not pay the price for
such a transition. Existing models to ensure energy justice were described as
failing to consider stakeholder perspectives and needs. It was therefore proposed
that such models be inclusive and reflective of diverse stakeholders, including
local households, communities, utilities and governments. To this end, the
University of South Africaâs Institute for Social and Health Sciences has
developed a Transformational Model of community engagement in
collaboration with communities which can be applied to articulate and guide the
community engagement processes in an inclusive just energy transition. In this
article, I present the model which offers opportunities to integrate multiple
perspectives, prioritise the needs of diverse community stakeholders,
interrogate power imbalances, and enhance working collaborations and
partnerships, while also facilitating ongoing oversight and sustainable
programme implementation. This model is a viable framework to achieve
energy justice through an inclusive equitable transition to renewable energy
technologies and by extension to reduce energy poverty. It has been applied in
diverse community contexts across two provinces (Gauteng and the Western
Cape) to engage with and build lasting communityâinstitutional relationships.
It has also been used to design, develop and evaluate contextually applicable
sustainable initiatives, including a community-wide campaign.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
Process evaluation of the development of a community-based participatory intervention promoting positive masculinity and peace and safety: addressing interpersonal violence in a Western Cape community
Text in EnglishGiven the high rates of male homicides, victimisation and the perpetration of violence by men in South Africa, the prevention of interpersonal violence among males constitutes a major public health priority. The lack of effective strategies to address the onset and effects of exposure to violence foregrounds the need for innovative strategies to address this problem in South Africa. Within this context, this doctoral studyâs primary research objective was to evaluate the processes and steps used to plan, design and develop a community-based violence prevention intervention that mobilised spiritual capacity and religious assets to promote positive forms of masculinity, and peace and safety. This doctoral research was part of a broader study entitled, âSpiritual Capacity and Religious Assets for Transforming Community Health by Mobilising Males for Peace and Safetyâ (SCRATCHMAPS), which aimed to identify and mobilise spiritual capacity and religious assets, in particular communities in South Africa and the USA, in order to address interpersonal violence. This study was framed by a critical public health lens, and was guided by a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) orientation and community engagement strategy throughout every step of the development of the intervention and the initial evaluation of the manual development process. The overall research design was a participatory process evaluation. Methods used for this process evaluation included community asset mapping, surveys, focus group discussions, research-based workshops, diary reflections, a photo-documentary, meeting minutes, process notes and participatory observations. The analysis of the multiple sets of data was conducted appropriately, relevant to the particular data collection methods pursued and the demands of both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. Findings from this study confirm the utility and efficacy of using a critical public health framework enacted through CBPR for developing an intervention that addresses the complexity of violence. The results further demonstrated that a strength or asset-based, gender-sensitive approach, with men working alongside women, is conducive to promoting positive forms of masculinity to create safety and peace.PsychologyPh. D. (Psychology
Community engagement in instrument design: The Delphi Consensus Technique
Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
7th International Conference on Community Psychology Conferencia Internacional De Psicologia Communitaria, Chile 2018
Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
Navigating and Reimagining Community Engagement amidst COVID-19
Community engagement is a critical manifestation of a humanising approach on how to respond to various psychosocial and structural violence challenges in the context of a pandemic. Community engagement within the context of the current global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) requires creative and innovative responses. Institutions have had to reconfigure their community engagement due to restrictive measures instituted by governments to curb the spread of the virus. This paper aims to reflect on the conversations and experiences of community activist researchers in implementing creative ways of engagement to address pertinent psychosocial and structural violence issues affecting communities during COVID-19. Through a qualitative reflexive approach, we identified the following themes: (1) Challenges in community-engaged research during a pandemic; (2) Structural violence and psychosocial issues; and (3) Innovative opportunities to bridge gaps and confront community realities. The pandemic has produced challenges but has also allowed for opportunities to reimagine community engagement. It has created opportunities and novel ways of collaborating with multisectoral social actors to address the psychosocial challenges during the pandemic and to remain actively engaged with communities
Reflections on the development and utility of a participatory community violence surveillance methodology
The goal of this study was to illustrate the development and utility of a community violence surveillance methodology, as a component of a larger participatory violence prevention project in a low-income South African community. Using focus group discussions, data were collected from 12 community and academic researchpartners. These discussions were audio recorded, transcribed and then thematically analysed. The findings revealed that the participatory orientation to the research enabled researchers to develop an instrument that was appropriate for the community, collaboratively. The collaborative creation of the violence surveillance questionnaire and the use of community members to implement the system after intensive capacity building instilled a sense of ownership and promoted sustainability in this project. In addition, data generated by the surveillance system provided baseline and prevalence data which could be used to advocate for violence prevention and develop relevant interventions. This process also resulted in the provision of victim support through debriefing and referrals. Future research could focus on developing and implementing similar surveillance systems in communities and monitoring the effects thereof over time.Keywords: participatory, community, violence surveillance methodolog
Social (in)justices during the educator developmental appraisal process: A post-apartheid South African case study
Globally, the appraisal of educators remains a contested issue as the process, which aims to provide support
and development to educators, is generally considered a punitive measure for educators. Within the South
African context, the Integrated Quality Management System is used to evaluate educators. Drawing on
Fraserâs theories of social justice, this article explores the perspectives of 11 educators regarding educator
developmental appraisal in post-apartheid South Africa as a catalyst for social (in)justice. Data was collected
through semi-structured interviews and analysed using critical discourse analysis. This article highlights the
importance of social justice practices in enhancing learner achievement and foregrounds the (in)justices
often witnessed during the appraisal process. Findings reveal that the developmental appraisal process has
the potential to promote social justice; however, contextual factors seem to be hindering the successful
implementation of the appraisal process.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
The converging infuence of social, economic and psychological factors on public responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
Background: This study assessed the influence of social, economic, and psychological factors on South Africanâs
responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the South African government responded quickly to manage
the pandemic, the strict lockdown placed a significant burden on the population. Understanding the converging influence of social, economic, and psychological factors on the populationâs responsiveness is important for improving peopleâs cooperation in controlling COVID-19 and for supporting individuals and communities during the ongoing and future pandemics.
Methods: Using data collected from a national telephonic survey (December 2020 to March 2021), we assessed
whether selected social, economic and psychological factors were related to: 1) adoption of COVID-19 behavioural
measures (hand hygiene, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing), and 2) adherence to government restrictions on movement.
Results: South Africans were highly responsive to the pandemic with respondents generally reporting that they very
often engaged in the protective behaviours and often to very often adhered to government restriction on movement. However, those from the white population group; with a higher education; living in uncrowded households;
who perceived less vulnerability to contracting COVID-19; supported the measures; trusted the scientists; thought the
measures by government were implemented fairly and fairly enforced by the police; felt more anxious, sad, hopeless,
isolated, angry or had trouble sleeping; inclined to engage in coping behaviour, were more likely to adopt COVID-19 protective behaviours. Furthermore, females, those with a lower education, those less likely to have experienced
poverty since the beginning of lockdown; who perceived greater vulnerability to COVID-19, trusted government, and
were more supportive of the behavioural measures were more likely to adhere to the restrictions of movement.
Conclusions: Strengthening the South African populationâs responsiveness to the pandemic requires supporting
those living in poor socioeconomic circumstances, promoting trust in the scientifc evidence, and ensuring that the
measures by government are perceived to be fairly implemented and fairly enforced by the police. Due to the impact
on livelihoods, restrictions of movement should only be considered if necessary, and this will require trust and confidence in government and strategies to support those experiencing financial hardship.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS